More evidence showing nanoparticles effect DNA
source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/06/2735612.htm
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- JanforGore
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Researchers in the United Kingdom have found some nanoparticles - which can be found in common household items - can damage DNA without even penetrating the cells.
They found the nanoparticles can indirectly damage DNA inside cells by transmitting signals through a protective barrier of human tissue.
The stunning discovery adds to a growing body of research highlighting proven and potential health hazards from the rapidly expanding universe of engineered objects measured in billionths of a metre.
Nanoscale products already widely in use range from cosmetics to household cleaning products and sporting goods.
But the new findings, reported in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, could also point to new ways in which nanotherapies might zero in on disease-causing tumours, say researchers.
They could even shed light on how poorly understood pathogens penetrate into human organs.
In laboratory experiments, scientists led by Dr Charles Case of Southmead Hospital in Bristol, grew a multi-layer 'barrier' of human cells to mimic specialised protective tissues found in the body.
For example one such barrier separates blood from the brain.
Underneath this layer, three-to-four cells thick, they placed human fibroblast cells which play a key role in the formation of connective and scar tissue.
And on top they put nanoscale particles of cobalt-chromium, an alloy that has long been used in the making of hip-and-knee-replacement joints, and more recently in drug-delivery mechanisms used inside arteries.
'As if it weren't there'
Earlier studies had shown that direct exposure to large quantities of the alloy could severely damage DNA is some cells and the researchers wanted to find out how well the laboratory grown barrier would protect the fibroblast cells below.
"We never imagined that it wouldn't," said Dr Case.
"But to our great surprise, not only did we see damage on the other side of the barrier, we saw as much damage as if we had not had a barrier at all."
They found the nanoparticles can indirectly damage DNA inside cells by transmitting signals through a protective barrier of human tissue.
The stunning discovery adds to a growing body of research highlighting proven and potential health hazards from the rapidly expanding universe of engineered objects measured in billionths of a metre.
Nanoscale products already widely in use range from cosmetics to household cleaning products and sporting goods.
But the new findings, reported in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, could also point to new ways in which nanotherapies might zero in on disease-causing tumours, say researchers.
They could even shed light on how poorly understood pathogens penetrate into human organs.
In laboratory experiments, scientists led by Dr Charles Case of Southmead Hospital in Bristol, grew a multi-layer 'barrier' of human cells to mimic specialised protective tissues found in the body.
For example one such barrier separates blood from the brain.
Underneath this layer, three-to-four cells thick, they placed human fibroblast cells which play a key role in the formation of connective and scar tissue.
And on top they put nanoscale particles of cobalt-chromium, an alloy that has long been used in the making of hip-and-knee-replacement joints, and more recently in drug-delivery mechanisms used inside arteries.
'As if it weren't there'
Earlier studies had shown that direct exposure to large quantities of the alloy could severely damage DNA is some cells and the researchers wanted to find out how well the laboratory grown barrier would protect the fibroblast cells below.
"We never imagined that it wouldn't," said Dr Case.
"But to our great surprise, not only did we see damage on the other side of the barrier, we saw as much damage as if we had not had a barrier at all."
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WhiteNoise
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Anyone interested in the genome should watch this Nova piece...
It changes everything for the future of medicine !!!
fascinating stuff indeed ;)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genes/ - 2 years ago
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WhiteNoise
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FishaHouse777
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Very interesting, but isn't our own blood-brain layer thicker than 3-4 cells?
- 2 years ago
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FishaHouse777
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MRprez
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wow... ironic how little we know
- 2 years ago
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MRprez
